My working life at Salford Community Leisure started out as a casual in Pendleton with Chris Smith on the Friday Night Project. In 2003, I got my first contracted job as a part time sports Development Officer in the Worsley and Boothstown area, eventually obtaining a full time position across Worsley, Boothstown, Little Hulton and Walkden a few years later.

Back in those days we were spoilt, with plenty of funding streams available we secured enough money to run some amazing school holiday programmes, allowing hundreds of children and young people the opportunity to participate in Graffiti art, fashion design, DJ-ing and trips out. One of my highlights was taking all our community sports teams to represent the City at The Greater Manchester Street Games in 2009. It was also fantastic to be nominated by our Neighbourhood Management Team and local partners for an APSE award in 2008, we made the final and attended the awards in Nottingham.

In 2010, I then became an Assistant Sport and Leisure manager, remaining in the Worsley, Boothstown, Walkden and Little Hulton area. It was then the management of the Community Schools and Centres became an integral part of the neighbourhoods, along-side the leisure centres and other services. As the organisation continued to grow, with the exciting news of new schools, park cafes, tennis courts and other facilities coming our way, the team naturally progressed into a citywide Community Facilities Team, integrating other areas such as the Sport Network and Grass pitches and I became the Community Facilities Manager.

There have been so many memorable moments in my working life at SCL, too many to choose from! The staff have to be the best part of the job, I have been lucky enough to work with some amazing and inspirational people over the years and have learnt so much, and still learning now! Back in 2003, I never thought I would get the opportunity to spread my wings and experience so many areas of work, teams and facilities. I have enjoyed every minute and it has been a truly wonderful journey, here’s to the next 20 years!

I started at SCL on the 1st July 2002 as the new ‘Health Walks Co-ordinator’.

Once I got into post, I soon realised there was this perception people generally had of ‘Walking’, which was……you picked up your walking boots, rucksack, made a packed lunch and drove at least 2 hours out of Salford to the Lakes/ Wales, trekked up a Mountain for a few hours, ate your lunch, came down and drove home. Well, this wasn’t the aim of the ‘Health Walks’.

We had to convince people in Salford, that it was perfectly ok to wear flat grippy shoes or trainers and to just go for a walk locally. You didn’t need any type of equipment, a full days worth of food, a car necessary. You could actually go for a walk from your doorstep with very limited barriers!

SO, here we are 21 years on, having set up numerous led walks in all areas of Salford over the years, we have continued to help people get active locally, enjoying the vast amount of green / urban space Salford offers.

Several of our very original ‘Health Walks’ now rebranded to ‘Wellbeing Walks’ still exist 21 years later, with some of the same committed volunteer walk leaders.

In 21 years, we have definitely, without a doubt changed the perception of ‘Walking’ and helped support people to walk / explore their local area, meet new people and adopt a more active lifestyle.

Working at SCL means being part of a really supportive, strong, caring and passionate team which really allows you to enjoy your job and feel that joint sense of achievement. I have lots of memories over the years from team activities, great nights out and just really helping people of Salford make a difference to their quality of life.

My career began with SCL when I started with the Site Regeneration Project (SRB) Seedley and Langworthy, later know as SPARKY, & I was outsourced to Farnworth Youth and Family Support, managed by our very own Chief Executive, Steve Hassall.

I worked as Salford’s Service Area Co-ordinator for the Rugby Football League on secondment then worked casually for the Schools Sports Team before taking over Community Sports Development ‘Pendleton Precinct’.

Whilst working with the Schools Team I was also outsourced to Barton Moss Secure Unit and the Councils Events team where I earned additional Christmas pay Dressed up as a 6ft 2 Mouse “Niblick!” touring Salford, Trafford and Urmston! I was also very Successful in the Greater Manchester Youth Games, back to back years with Rugby League.

Efficiency saves moved me into Duty Manager Cover at Irlam & Cadishead and Eccles Leisure Centre and additional work as a Fitness Instructor. During this time I was also seconded to the Rugby Football Union where I assisted the England Set up during the Rugby Union World Cup and was set to do the Same for the rugby League World Cup Pre-Covid!

You may now know me for my work developing CrossFit SCL, where I manage our fantastic box facility and love the family we have created here.